Making garbage history

Posted on Sunday, December 7th, 2008 at 2:07 pm

We are what we spend. We are consumed by consumption. And we are worried that we can’t do enough to save the world before it’s too late. ‘Selling’ something to people that they say they want but that they don’t want to pay for a cleaner, more sustainable planet: That’s the task that has faced wishart since it accepted the challenge of helping the City of Hamilton meet its ambitious waste diversion goals.

Although there’s still a lot more to accomplish, since wishart began work a few years ago, blue box recyclables have increased 181 percent, compostibles have increased 280 percent and the amount of garbage the City collects has dropped by 28 percent. Additionally, wishart’s work has been presented at conferences throughout North America to inspire other municipalities to better communicate with their constituents. Compare this work with what other municipalities are doing and it’s clear that there’s more than an agency to credit. The real credit should be given to courageous mid-level clients like Dennis ‘The Recycling’ Guy who runs more than interference when good ideas run the risk of getting squashed by senior managers, boards or councils. We don’t win them all, but guys like Dennis are crucial to getting innovative, effective communications into the hands of the people.